Tropical storm threatens Bermuda

A tropical depression strengthened into Tropical Storm Harvey as it slowly approached Bermuda, forecasters said in Miami.

Harvey, the eighth named storm of the Atlantic hurricane season, had top sustained winds of about 60 mph.

The National Hurricane Center said there was a small chance that Harvey could become a hurricane - with sustained winds of at least 74 mph - when its center passes near Bermuda on Thursday, informs LA Times.

According to CNN, the storm developed in the Atlantic earlier Wednesday and in just three hours - 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. - its winds intensified by 20 mph.

Since then, it has not strengthened, and forecasters said they expected no significant change over the next 24 hours.

The center issued a tropical storm warning for Bermuda, and the Bermuda Weather Service issued a hurricane watch.

A tropical storm warning means such conditions are expected within 24 hours. A hurricane watch indicates such conditions are possible during the next 24 hours.

Hurricane conditions mean sustained winds of at least 74 mph (118 km/h).

Forecasters said the small archipelago of islands, a self-governing British colony, could expect 2 to 4 inches of rain.

Tropical storm-force winds extended 85 miles (136 kilometers) from Harvey's eye.

On its current track, the storm would pose no threat to the U.S. mainland.